This week, the Center for Digital Government presented its 2012 Best of Texas Award to the Arlington Police Department Office of Communication.
The annual awards program spotlights the year's top government information technology projects. The award was presented in Austin on Thursday, July 12. Sgt. Christopher Cook and Social Media Coordinator Zhivonni McDonnell accepted the award. Assistant Chief James Hawthorne also attended.
The Best of Texas - Most Innovative Use of Social Media Award recognizes the department's Tweet-Along program, which provides Twitter followers with a virtual ride-along with Arlington police officers on city streets.
The department's first Tweet-Along in December 2011 was led by Police Chief Theron Bowman and the DWI Task Force. The chief rode in the passenger seat, posting messages and photos to highlight the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
Hawthorne said Twitter is proving to be a valuable tool in community policing. It is allowing the department to increase citizen involvement in public safety and crime prevention efforts. It has an important role in helping the agency achieve its goal of reducing crime in the city, he said.
The APD Media Unit also includes Tiara Richard and Cheryel Carpenter who post real time breaking news that impact traffic and public safety in Arlington.
To date, APD has 3,711 Twitter followers. Follow APD on Twitter. The next Tweet-Along is Saturday, July 21, from Noon to 6 p.m. Follow us at ArlingtonPD. Visit www.Twitter.com to sign up.
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